Shore Excursions
Shore Excursions from Civitavecchia Beyond Rome: Lakes, Etruscan Towns and Hidden Gems
6 min read
Most cruise passengers who dock at Civitavecchia head straight for Rome — and for good reason. But if it’s your second visit, or you simply prefer a slower, less crowded day, some of the most rewarding shore excursions from Civitavecchia don’t go to Rome at all. Here are the best alternatives, all easily reached with a private driver within your time in port.
Lake Bracciano and Trevignano Romano
Half an hour inland, Lake Bracciano is a wide volcanic lake ringed by medieval villages. Trevignano Romano, on its northern shore, is the quiet gem: a lakeside promenade, a ruined castle above the rooftops, and trattorias serving freshwater fish with a view. Add the imposing Odescalchi Castle in Bracciano town, and you have a relaxed half-day far from the crowds. Read more in our guide to Trevignano Romano and Lake Bracciano.
Best for: travellers who want beauty and calm without the intensity of central Rome.
Tarquinia and the Etruscans
Just north of Civitavecchia, Tarquinia holds one of the most important Etruscan sites in Italy: painted tombs, a UNESCO-listed necropolis, and a hilltop old town. It’s history most visitors never see, and it’s closer to the port than Rome.
Best for: history lovers and anyone curious about the civilisation that came before Rome.
Castelli Romani and the wine hills
South-east of Rome, the Castelli Romani are a cluster of hill towns among vineyards and volcanic lakes — Frascati, Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano, and long lunches of local wine and porchetta. A classic Roman countryside day. See our Castelli Romani wine tour.
Best for: food and wine, panoramas and an unhurried pace.
Civita di Bagnoregio, the “dying town”
A little further afield, Civita di Bagnoregio rises on a crumbling tufa outcrop reached only by a footbridge — one of the most photographed villages in Italy. It’s a longer drive, so it suits a full day in port, but the payoff is unforgettable. Discover our Civita di Bagnoregio tour.
Best for: photographers and travellers chasing the extraordinary.
Cerveteri and the coast
Closer to the port, Cerveteri offers another great Etruscan necropolis with its distinctive mound tombs, easily paired with a stop along the coast.
Planning your excursion around the ship
The golden rule is the same as for Rome: know your “all aboard” time and build in a buffer. The advantage of these destinations is that most are closer to the port than the capital, which means less time on the road and more time exploring — but a driver who tracks your ship and knows the roads still makes all the difference.
With a private driver for the day you set the itinerary, choose your stops and stay flexible: combine a lake with a hilltop town, or a necropolis with lunch in the vineyards. CivitaDriver is a licensed NCC service with direct berth access, English-speaking drivers and a fixed fare agreed in advance — for Rome, or for everything around it.